1 Timothy 5:15 Komentář

Here the apostle, I. Directs Timothy how to reprove (Ti1 5:1, Ti1 5:2). II. Adverts to widows, both elder and younger (Ti1 5:3-16). III. To elders (Ti1 5:17-19). IV. Treats of public reproof (Ti1 5:20). V. Gives a solemn charge concerning ordination (Ti1 5:21, Ti1 5:22). VI. Refers to his health (Ti1 5:23), and states men's sins to be very different in their effects (Ti1 5:24, Ti1 5:25).

INTRODUCTION TO 1 TIMOTHY 5 In this chapter the apostle lays down rules about the manner of rebuking persons, suitable to their several ages; gives directions concerning widows, both old and young; and instructs Timothy how to behave towards elders in office on different accounts. The rules for giving reproof to old men, as fathers; to young men, as brethren; to elder women, as mothers; and to the younger, as sisters, are in Ti1 5:1. Next follow the directions about taking care of widows, who are to be honoured and maintained by the church, that are widows indeed, Ti1 5:3 not such who have relations that are capable of taking care of them, who ought to do it, and not burden the church; since so to do is an act of piety, a requiting parents for their former care and kindness, and is good and acceptable in the sight of God, Ti1 5:4 but such who are desolate and alone, and have no husbands nor children, nor any to support their wants, but wholly depend on the providence of God, and are constant at the throne of grace crying for help and relief, which shows they are living Christians; whereas such who spend their time in sinful lusts and pleasures, are dead while they live; wherefore if members of churches, with respect to this business, would be blameless, they ought to take care of the former, and reprove the latter, Ti1 5:5. And as for those persons who cast their poor widows upon the church, and will not provide for them, when they are able, they are to be looked upon as deniers of the faith, and to be worse than the Heathens themselves, Ti1 5:8. The qualifications of widows to be taken care of by the church, besides those before mentioned, are, that they be sixty years of age, having been the wife of one man, and well known for their good works, some of which are particularly mentioned, Ti1 5:9 but those who are under the age fixed, and especially are fit for marriage, and the procreation of children, should be rejected, because of their lasciviousness, idleness, tattling, and busying themselves about other people's matters; these, on the contrary, should be directed to marry, bear children, take care of household affairs, and give no occasion to the enemy to reproach and blaspheme; and the rather such advice should be taken, since there had been some sad instances of apostasy in such persons, Ti1 5:11. And then the apostle repeats his order to believers, to take care of their poor widows, who were able to do it themselves, that so the church might not be burdened, and might be able to relieve such as were real and proper objects, Ti1 5:16. And then follow rules with respect to elders in office, as that those that rule well, and labour in the ministry of the word, should be honourably maintained; which is confirmed by a passage of Scripture in the Old Testament, and by a saying of Christ's in the New, Ti1 5:17, that an accusation should not be received against one of such a character, but by two or three witnesses, Ti1 5:19 and that such of them that fell into any notorious sin should be publicly rebuked, in order to make others afraid to sin, Ti1 5:20. And these things the apostle, in the most solemn manner, charges Timothy, in the sight of God, Christ, and the angels, to observe, without partiality, Ti1 5:21. To which he adds, that he would not have him be hastily concerned in the ordination of anyone as an elder, lest he should involve himself in his sin, whereas by acting otherwise he would be free, Ti1 5:22 and then inserts some advice to himself, to take care of his health, Ti1 5:23 and concludes the chapter with observing, on occasion of what he had said, Ti1 5:22 that some men's sins were open, and their characters were easily discerned, and others were private, and such were also the good works of others; which made the case either more easy or more difficult to determine what was to be done; and therefore nothing should be done suddenly and rashly, Ti1 5:24.

For some are already turned aside after Satan. Meaning some of those younger widows, whom the apostle knew, and had observed to have departed from the faith they first professed, and turned their backs on Christ, and gave themselves up to carnal lusts and pleasures, and an idle and impure life and conversation, walked according to the course of this world, and the prince of it, by whom they were led captive at his will; for so everyone that apostatizes from a profession of Christ, and follows either false teachers, and their doctrines, as the Gnostics, that condemned marriage, or any sinful and impure way of life, may be said to turn aside after Satan; and as that apostle knew this to be fact, from his own observation, he therefore gives the above advice. For some are already turned aside after Satan. Meaning some of those younger widows, whom the apostle knew, and had observed to have departed from the faith they first professed, and turned their backs on Christ, and gave themselves up to carnal lusts and pleasures, and an idle and impure life and conversation, walked according to the course of this world, and the prince of it, by whom they were led captive at his will; for so everyone that apostatizes from a profession of Christ, and follows either false teachers, and their doctrines, as the Gnostics, that condemned marriage, or any sinful and impure way of life, may be said to turn aside after Satan; and as that apostle knew this to be fact, from his own observation, he therefore gives the above advice. 1 Timothy 5:16 ti1 5:16 ti1 5:16 ti1 5:16If any man or woman that believeth have widows,.... That is, if any member of a church, whether a brother or a sister, have mothers or grandmothers, or any near relations widows, in mean circumstances, and incapable of taking care of themselves: let them relieve them; out of their own substance; which is what the apostle before calls showing piety at home, and requiting their own parents: and let not the church be charged; or burdened with the maintenance of them: that it may relieve them that are widows indeed; that the church may be in a better capacity, its stock not being expended on others, to supply the wants of those who are really widows; who have neither husbands, nor children, nor any relations, to provide for them; nor anything in the world to support themselves with.

"For some are already turned aside after Satan." Such widows as these then he would have refused, not meaning that there should be no younger widows, but that there should be no adulteresses, that none should be idle, busy-bodies, speaking things that they ought not, that no occasion should be given to the adversary. Had nothing of this kind taken place, he would not have forbidden them.

Therefore, I wish the younger women to marry, bear children, manage the household, and give no opportunity to the adversary to have a cause for slander. For already some have turned aside after Satan. The good aspect was that, once the widows were instructed, they should not abandon Christ nor reject their initial faith. But since they do this, let them marry, and let them not pledge themselves to Christ, and so let them marry. The former is blameless, the latter is unholy. For their arrogance and looseness of conduct are thus restrained, at least by greater affliction and concern. and give no opportunity to the adversary. For if they marry correctly, not engaged to Christ beforehand, they will not expose themselves to the occasion of being slandered. Paul did not command them to live without fear in marrying, but that, pressed by cares, they should look to live modestly. For already some have turned aside after Satan. But why then did you pay such great attention to these things, and even more to those concerning the virgins? Because they, Paul says, gave occasion, turning away after Satan. For he says this not that there are no younger widows, but because he feared lest he might reject Christ.

Since he said: "that they manage the house," lest it seem that he gives them freedom to indulge in worldly pleasures, he added: "give no occasion to the adversary for slander." Take care of the house in such a way, he says, that you do not harm the soul. Moreover, here the apostle very clearly indicates the purpose for which he makes such a concession to young widows. It is so that, he says, the devil may not be given occasion to mock them if, having become brides of Christ, they then, due to the inconstancy natural to youth, fall into impure deeds. For this reason I lead them under the yoke of marriage, so that, having neither time nor leisure, they may have no opportunity to commit a heap of the aforementioned wicked deeds.

His reason is this: for some are already turned aside after Satan, i.e., some who have vowed chastity have looked back, avoiding their vow, and they walk after Satan by imitating him who apostatized from the angel's ranks.

Rules to be observed in giving reproofs to the old and to the young, Ti1 5:1, Ti1 5:2. Directions concerning widows, Ti1 5:3-16. Of elders that rule well, Ti1 5:17, Ti1 5:18. How to proceed against elders when accused, and against notorious offenders, Ti1 5:10-21. Directions concerning imposition of hands, Ti1 5:22. Concerning Timothy's health, Ti1 5:23. Reasons why no person should be hastily appointed to sacred offices, Ti1 5:24, Ti1 5:25.

For some are already turned aside - Some of these young widows, for he appears to be still treating of them, are turned aside to idolatry, to follow Satan instead of Christ. Slight deviations, in the first instance, from a right line, may lead at last to an infinite distance from Christ.

GENERAL DIRECTIONS AS TO HOW TIMOTHY SHOULD DEAL WITH DIFFERENT CLASSES IN THE CHURCH. (1Ti. 5:1-25) an elder--in age; probably not an elder in the ministry; these latter are not mentioned till Ti1 5:17, "the elders that rule." Compare Act 2:17, "your old men," literally, "elders." Contrasted with "the younger men." As Timothy was admonished so to conduct himself as to give no man reason to despise his youth (Ti1 4:12); so here he is told to bear in mind his youth, and to behave with the modesty which becomes a young man in relation to his elders. Rebuke not--literally, "Strike not hard upon"; Rebuke not sharply: a different word from "rebuke" in Ti2 4:2. entreat--exhort. as brethren--and therefore equals; not lording it over them (Pe1 5:1-3).

For--For in the case of some this result has already ensued; "Some (widows) are already turned aside after Satan," the seducer (not by falling away from the faith in general, but) by such errors as are stigmatized in Ti1 5:11-13, sexual passion, idleness, &c., and so have given occasion of reproach (Ti1 5:14). "Satan finds some mischief still for the idle hands to do."